Landschap met bomen en drie grazende koeien 1845 - 1892

This landscape with trees and three grazing cows was etched by Julius Jacobus van de Sande Bakhuyzen. The printmaking process of etching involves coating a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant material called a ground. The artist then draws into this ground with a sharp needle, exposing the metal. When the plate is immersed in acid, the exposed lines are bitten, creating grooves. This plate is then inked and printed, transferring the image to paper. Here, the varying depths and densities of lines suggest a keen attention to atmosphere and form. Bakhuyzen uses the etching needle with great sensitivity to capture the contrast of light and shadow in the sky and foliage. The velvety blacks and delicate grays of the etching imbue the scene with a tangible sense of light and air. This labor-intensive process translates the pastoral scene into a commodity, available for wider consumption. It’s a good reminder that even seemingly straightforward images like this one are born from a complex intersection of materials, skill, and broader social and economic forces.